JFK Tampa visit

A look back at President Kennedy's 1963 visit to Tampa.

Kennedy waves to a lone Tony Zappone and his camera as he sits in limo with Gen. Paul D. Adams, commanding general of U.S. Strike Command which was based at MacDill Air Force Base, before departing for the base officers' club where the President received a briefing and a quick bite to eat.
TONY ZAPPONE

President John F. Kennedy stands at attention as the MacDill Air Force Base Band plays "Hail to the Chief" at the base in Tampa on Nov. 18, 1963. Behind him are U.S. Rep. Claude Pepper, behind his right shoulder, and U.S. Senator George Smathers, who was an usher at Kennedy's wedding to Jackie.
TONY ZAPPONE

President John F. Kennedy and Congressman Sam Gibbons during Kennedy's visit to Tampa.
TONY ZAPPONE

The president's mMotorcade proceeds north on Franklin Street from Twiggs in downtown Tampa. Thousands of people took off work and school to catch a quick glimpse of the motorcade, which went east from Westshore Boulevard along Grand Central Avenue about five miles before going north on Franklin St. and then on to Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory. The limousine was the same one the President was killed in four days later.
TONY ZAPPONE

President John F. Kennedy's motorcade passes the intersection of Twiggs Street and Florida Avenue during his visit to the Tampa area on November 18, 1963.
TONY ZAPPONE

President John F. Kennedy during Kennedy's visit to Tampa.
TONY ZAPPONE

Photographer Tommy Eure waited for the exact second to photograph the President passing his studio in the 3200 block of W. Kennedy Blvd., then Grand Central, next to the WTVT studios.
TONY ZAPPONE

Speaking to the crowd at Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory. It was the first time channels 8 and 13 cooperated to simulcast a local news story. Kennedy's motorcade and appearance at the Armory was the only part of his trip broadcast live. WFLA announcer Sam Latimer was the pool anchor.
TONY ZAPPONE

JFK Tampa visit

President John F. Kennedy's motorcade passes the intersection of Twiggs Street and Florida Avenue during his visit to the Tampa area on November 18, 1963.
TONY ZAPPONE